Sukta 60
Sukta 1.60
Bharadvāja Bārhaspatya (traditional for RV 1.60)
Agni (with Mātariśvan in narrative role)
Triṣṭubh
This short Triṣṭubh hymn praises Agni as the radiant “signal of the assembly” and the swift messenger whose action brings immediate effect in sacrifice. It recalls the mythic bringing of Agni by Mātariśvan to the Bhṛgus and links that primeval gift to the human act of kindling Agni again and again from the heart and from the ritual ground. The hymn culminates in the poet’s proclamation of Agni as lord of riches and in a dawn-oriented prayer for quick arrival and inner illumination.
Mantras
Mantra 1
वह्निं यशसं विदथस्य केतुं सुप्राव्यं दूतं सद्योअर्थम् । द्विजन्मानं रयिमिव प्रशस्तं रातिं भरद्भृगवे मातरिश्वा ॥
Mātariśvan brought to the Bhṛgu a gift: the Carrier, glorious, the signal of the assembly, the well-forward-moving messenger of immediate effect—Agni of the double birth, praised like a plenitude of riches.
Mantra 2
अस्य शासुरुभयासः सचन्ते हविष्मन्त उशिजो ये च मर्ताः । दिवश्चित्पूर्वो न्यसादि होतापृच्छ्यो विश्पतिर्विक्षु वेधाः ॥
To his ordinance both kinds cleave—those who bear the offering, the eager kindlers, and the mortals as well. The Hotar, ancient even from heaven, has taken his seat—questioned and consultable, the lord of the clan among the peoples, the wise disposer.
Mantra 3
तं नव्यसी हृद आ जायमानमस्मत्सुकीर्तिर्मधुजिह्वमश्याः । यमृत्विजो वृजने मानुषासः प्रयस्वन्त आयवो जीजनन्त ॥
May our ever-new good fame attain him, being born from the heart—him of honeyed tongue. Him whom the human priests in the open field, striving with their labour, have again and again brought to birth.
Mantra 4
उशिक्पावको वसुर्मानुषेषु वरेण्यो होताधायि विक्षु । दमूना गृहपतिर्दम आँ अग्निर्भुवद्रयिपती रयीणाम् ॥
The ardent Flame, purified and luminous, a true Treasure among mortals, the choice-worthy Priest of the offering, is set in the clans. As the dweller in the house, the lord of the home, Agni comes into our settled being and becomes the master of the plenitudes (rayi), the guardian of all inner riches.
Mantra 5
तं त्वा वयं पतिमग्ने रयीणां प्र शंसामो मतिभिर्गोतमासः । आशुं न वाजम्भरं मर्जयन्तः प्रातर्मक्षू धियावसुर्जगम्यात् ॥
You—master of the plenitudes, O Agni—we, the Gautamas, proclaim with our awakened thoughts. Polishing and purifying (our offering and speech) like a swift bearer of force, may the one who is rich by the power of insight arrive quickly at the dawn—at the first opening of illumination.
Frequently Asked Questions
It recalls Mātariśvan bringing Agni as a divine gift to the Bhṛgus, and connects that ancient event to the daily act of kindling Agni in the ritual.
Because Agni has a cosmic birth (as divine fire/light) and a repeated human birth when priests kindle him again in the ritual fire.
It points to inner intention and inspired speech: Agni is not only a physical flame but also the awakened fire of will and insight arising from the heart during worship.
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